Guides by state and territory
Every state handles death certificates, probate, and cremation a little differently. Pick the one that applies.
Last updated May 11, 2026. Sources are linked at the bottom of the page.
States and the District of Columbia
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
U.S. territories
Not sure which state applies? Usually it is where the person legally lived, not where they died. If they died in one state but lived in another, you may need both. The personalized checklist sorts this out from a few questions.